And I thought Ramsey's Flowers were just brilliant with the petals floating in the flower boxes. The cute little dog in the last photo was actually drinking from them but scuttled inside before I could get my camera ready.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

This garden caught my eye the other day...something about the combination of the garden, the house (love the guitar on the door), and the cherry blossom tree with birdhouses. Very late blooming cherry blossom trees...most have turned to leaves.

Don and Elaine were thrilled when Lilly was able to get an Irish whiskey called Midelton on her recent trip to Ireland. They bought one when they visited us there in 2000 and it's been very hard to find. A great beginning to dinner at The Mark compliments of the Hotel Grand Pacific...they do treat us well!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Monday, March 22, 2010

Congratulations, America, on finally joining the rest of the developed world in providing health care. It's been a long long journey. And yes, it is going to cost a lot of money but if the US can't afford it, who can?

Seems like Oklahoma got up to a foot of snow in some places after hitting the 70's just the other day. I see Palm Springs is sunny and in the 80's this week. Can't complain too much about this warmish rain. Will be good for the pansies I put in my boxes and my cactus will probably enjoy a drink as well.

Now the sun is coming out and the rain is stopping...guess there will be a rainbow somewhere.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Mostly loosely tied together stories around the character of Olive Kitteridge...a large woman who was a Math teacher and who is very opinionated. When Olive doesn't appear in the stories I felt the story wasn't that interesting. Quite reminiscent of Alice Munro. Worth a read.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Monday, March 15, 2010

Oscar had a very lazy day today...then when we put him out for the day he first of all went across the street to torment his "girlfriend" (she wasn't impressed with him rolling around in front of her) and then ended up on the roof of the neighbour's garage! Photo taken through our living room window.

Sunday, March 07, 2010

We hadn't visited this before and were really glad we did this time. Of course, I love Frank Gehry architecture. It was a neat part of LA to visit and they offer free self-guided audio tours so a good deal. Disney's widow, Dorothy, donated 50 million towards it and apparently wanted it to look like a little brick church with vines. Gehry took this to mean an intimate and friendly space and took artistic licence...obviously! She didn't live to see the finished product.

This is a photo I got off the internet as mine had traffic lights in it. Guess they photoshopped them out.

Saturday, March 06, 2010

Well, we certainly came home to some great weather...warm and sunny and everything in the gardens are about 3 weeks early. These cherry blossom trees across the street are beginning to fade and many around the city have already had their blooming time. Daffodils and crocus out in my garden and an azelea is beginning early than normal.

1:20 pm...just finished having lunch outside. Must be about 70 F on our deck at the moment. Now, out for a drive along the ocean in the convertible with the top down. We do live in a great place.